Task group formed to solve P3.6M robbery of CENECO

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — A special investigation task group was formed to solve the P3.6-million robbery of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) Friday morning, while the firm’s board of directors suspended its general manager for his failure to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the office.

The task group will be led by Bacolod City Police director Sr. Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz, and composed of personnel from the Bacolod City Police Intelligence, Investigation Branch, Regional Intelligence Unit and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

De la Paz said it is possible that the six suspects had contacts inside CENECO, as the robbery lasting for only three minutes was very organized, precise and swift. The suspects knew what time the money would be removed from the vault and they were knowledgeable about the office layout, he said.

The money was set to be picked up by an armored vehicle for bank deposit when the robbers arrived at about 9:15 a.m., said Dela Paz. They carried short firearms and did not conceal their faces with masks, wearing only ball caps when they entered the CENECO cash division office after disarming the five guards, he said.

He said the suspects escaped on motorcycles, going out through the main door of the establishment, except for one who got out through a window.

Aside from the money, the robbers also took four .9-milimeter pistols and a .38 caliber revolver from the security guards, Dela Paz added.

CENECO president Arnel Lapore said CENECO does not have CCTV cameras, which were supposed to be installed when they hired the services of Villmapi and Lifeguard Security Agency.

Lapore directed the management to install CCTV cameras within 72 hours and also ordered an internal investigation on how the suspects were able to enter the building with guns, unnoticed.

The CENECO board of directors approved Friday night the suspension of general manager Sulpicio Lagarde for 15 days for perceived negligence and his failure to ensure the installation of CCTV cameras in their office.

The CCTV cameras could have been a deterrent against robbers, and vital to solving the robbery incident, said Lapore.

Police Regional Office-6 director Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol also ordered the relief of Police Station 4 commander, Chief Insp. Ulysses Ortiz who will be replaced by Supt. Leonardo Borromeo.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that although the robbery incident at CENECO was an isolated case, he has instructed De la Paz to resolve the case swiftly and arrest the suspects.  (FREEMAN)